Struggling with watercolor and feeling stuck? I've been there too. Watercolor is a beautiful yet tricky medium that often tests your patience.
But if you're feeling frustrated or ready to give up, don't worry—you're not alone.
In this post, I'll share 5 reasons why most people fail in watercolor and how you can avoid these common mistakes based on my own journey.
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Reason 1: Losing Interest After a While
When we start something new, it's natural to feel excited. But over time, that excitement can fade.
I've seen so many artists lose focus after a few weeks with watercolor. They feel like it's hard to control. It doesn't behave the way they expect.
That frustration makes them switch to other mediums like oil, acrylic, or pastel. They think maybe another medium will be easier.
But here's the thing—this behavior is very common. Watercolor is a tough medium. It's unpredictable, and that can feel overwhelming at first.
How to Stay Motivated in Watercolor
If you find yourself losing interest, remind yourself why you started in the first place.
Watercolor has a charm that no other medium can offer. Instead of jumping ship, take a small step back and explore the fun side of watercolor again.
Try something new—like splashing colors, painting quick landscapes, or doodling with washes.
Keep things light and playful. That way, you can bring the joy back into your painting routine.
Reason 2: Lack of Consistent Practice
One of the most common reasons people struggle with watercolor is a lack of consistent practice.
Many people admire watercolor paintings and want to create their own, but they don't dedicate enough time to practice.
Without regular practice, progress can feel slow or nonexistent.
When I started watercolor in 1999, I didn't expect immediate results. I focused on consistency.
Even in 2001, when I created my early paintings, I practiced every day. I would wake up early, go to nearby areas, and paint on the spot.
My early works were often on torn paper, yet they were filled with effort and determination.
How to Build Consistency in Your Watercolor Practice
Consistency doesn't mean you need to paint for hours every day.
In fact, just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference. It doesn't matter if you're creating a masterpiece.
Sometimes it's just about playing with colors or doodling, experimenting with new forms, or letting the brush flow without pressure.
The key is to spend that time every day—no matter how little. When you practice consistently, you'll start seeing progress and feel more confident in your abilities.
It's all about creating a habit of daily painting. So, even if you can't spare an hour, make sure to dedicate at least a few minutes each day to keep growing as an artist.
Reason 3: Ignoring Sketching and Drawing Basics
Many beginners dive straight into painting without spending enough time on sketching and drawing.
While it's tempting to start applying color immediately, I highly recommend you don't skip the sketching phase. It plays a crucial role in mastering watercolor painting.
Sketching is not just about outlining shapes—it helps you understand light, shadow, and depth.
These fundamental elements are essential for creating realistic, captivating watercolor art.
By dedicating time to sketching, you'll learn to see the world through the eyes of an artist, capturing the nuances of light and form before even touching your paintbrush.
How Sketching Enhances Your Watercolor Skills
You don't need fancy equipment—just grab a simple sketchbook and start drawing.
The more you sketch, the more comfortable you'll understand proportions, shapes, and the interplay of light and shadow.
This practice will make your watercolor painting more accurate and give you a solid foundation to experiment with different techniques.
If you're new to sketching, don't worry about perfection.
Focus on building a habit of sketching regularly, as it will strengthen your skills and make your watercolor work more effective and expressive in the long run.
Reason 4: Feeling Demotivated by the Results
Demotivation is a common struggle among watercolor artists, especially when the results don't match expectations.
It's easy to get frustrated when your paintings don't look the way you want them to, or when progress feels slow.
Many beginners look at their work and feel disheartened, thinking their paintings are “ugly” or unpleasing.
This feeling of failure can lead to the desire to give up, but that's the worst thing you can do.
How to Deal with Watercolor Frustration
I've been there myself—when I first started watercolor painting, I felt exactly the same way.
I have some of my early works from 2001, and trust me, they weren't pretty. It was tough to see that my paintings weren't improving.
I thought about quitting, but instead, I kept going.
Even when my paintings didn't meet my expectations, I continued to paint, learning and growing with every brushstroke.
The key is not to let temporary setbacks define your journey.
Progress takes time, and the more you paint, the better you'll become.
Don't let self-doubt or frustration discourage you.
The more consistent you are, the more you will see improvement, and soon enough, your efforts will pay off.
Reason 5: Comparing Yourself with Other Artists
One of the biggest obstacles to improving your watercolor skills is comparing yourself to other artists.
It's easy to get caught up in the art of others, especially when you see stunning watercolor paintings and think, “How can I paint like that?” or “Why is my work so far behind?”
The truth is, comparing your journey to someone else's will only hold you back.
How to Overcome Comparison and Stay Motivated
Each artist's journey is unique. Every painter has their own story, struggles, and path to improvement.
Comparing your work to someone else's will only create frustration and self-doubt.
Rather than focusing on someone else's achievements, let their work inspire and motivate you. Think, “I'm going to paint like that soon!”
This positive mindset can fuel your growth and drive you to keep improving.
Remember, every artist is different, and your journey is yours alone.
Don't let the pressure of comparison become a mental barrier.
Instead, focus on your development and trust that you will reach your goals with practice and dedication.
Final Thoughts
Mastering watercolor isn't about perfection—it's about patience, consistency, and enjoying the journey.
By understanding these common challenges and how to overcome them, you'll find yourself improving faster than you thought possible.
Don't lose interest, stay consistent, keep sketching, avoid demotivation, and stop comparing yourself to others.
Stick with it, and you'll soon see a huge difference in your watercolor skills.
So, are you ready to keep painting and improve your watercolor journey? Keep going, and let your creativity flow!